Brownsville, TX Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance Adopted
- Nov. 12, 2024
- STR Definition
- Rental under 30 days
- Permit Required
- Yes, before listing
- Occupancy Basis
- Bedrooms + fire code
- Floor Plan
- Required with application
- State HOT
- 6% (Tax Code Ch. 156)
- Permit Term
- 1 year, renewable
Summary
Brownsville's STR ordinance, adopted November 12, 2024, requires every short-term rental (under 30 days) to be permitted by the City. The permit application requires a floor plan and site map showing the layout, exits, and parking, and overnight occupancy is limited based on bedrooms and applicable fire-code capacity.
Sec. 92.010. OCCUPANCY LIMITS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the maximum number of adults that a landlord may allow to occupy a dwelling is three times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling.(b) A landlord may allow an occupancy rate of more than three adult tenants per bedroom:(1) to the extent that the landlord is required by a state or federal fair housing law to allow a higher occupancy rate; or(2) if an adult whose occupancy causes a violation of Subsection (a) is seeking temporary sanctuary from family violence, as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, for a period that does not exceed one month.
Full Breakdown
On November 12, 2024, Brownsville City Commission adopted a Short-Term Rental ordinance that defines an STR as the rental of a dwelling unit for a period of less than 30 consecutive days. Every non-owner-occupied STR within the city limits must obtain a city-issued STR permit before being listed on Airbnb, VRBO, or any other platform. The permit application requires proof of ownership or a management agreement, a floor plan and site map showing the rental layout, exits, parking spaces, and points of access, plus a 24/7 local emergency contact.
Overnight occupancy is tied to the bedroom count and exit configuration shown on the approved floor plan and the life-safety provisions of the adopted building code, rather than a single statewide cap. Operators must register with the City Finance Department and remit Brownsville's local Hotel Occupancy Tax monthly in addition to the 6% Texas state HOT under Tax Code Chapter 156. Permits are valid for one year; renewal is free if filed on time. Brownsville is in Cameron County and not in a coastal-county venue tax district, so only the city and state HOT apply.
Violations & Fines
Hosting more guests overnight than the approved floor plan supports, operating without a city STR permit, or failing to display the permit in the unit can lead to citations, denial or revocation of the permit, and back-assessment of unpaid Hotel Occupancy Tax plus interest under Tax Code Chapter 351.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can stay at a Brownsville short-term rental?
When did Brownsville's STR ordinance take effect?
Are owner-occupied rentals exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brownsville
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Brownsville to another location·View the Texas short-term rentals overview
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